My neighbours' overgrown house

AlieOxon if you don't mind me asking, what do you actually want to happen now? Apart from compensation for the damaged shed?

If I understand rightly the adjoining house looks derelict, or at least in a bad state. Are you hoping that someone will make the owners of that house do it up? What if they haven't the money?

I don't mean to be rude, just wondering what the possible outcome could be now.

Nfk - see my UPDATE today, about 15 posts back!

- I will save the 'You and Yours' idea as well, and see what happens with the MP.

I didn't mean the BBC should write to the neighbour. You and Yours I know have had amazing results when they've done a bit of investigative journalism and contacted the local council, etc. Stirs things up and get them moving. And there are a lot of other people in the same position.

It sounds though as if your MP is on the ball. Environmental Health is a good way to go. Are these people ok looking after themselves? Is Social Services involved with them?

Best of good luck. Hopefully things will sort themselves soon.

SODC haven't contacted me since 19th May, as far as I can make out.
So I have now written back.

That is excellent, fingers crossed !

I've had a quick response from Lynda Atkins, my MP's secretary, saying 'We’ll take this issue up with South Oxfordshire District Council, as it seems to be an environmental health issue.'

She wants more details of my contacts with them, so I will have to look up when I wrote.

Apparently I can get some help for a legal claim for compensation....BUT this wouldn't put their house right!
Which would leave me in the same bad position....

I am temporarily ok as regards more damage to my house, but if their roof, which obviously has some rot in at the back - tiles slipping and sagging - gets worse, it can spread to mine....
I am looking a couple of years ahead here and if my health gets worse, that is when I might need to sell!

The neighbours don't sound like the type who would respond to a letter - even from the BBC! As I understand it, a big part of the problem is their unresponsiveness.

Don't despair, Alie, there must be someone who can do something for you - it's blighting your life

You and Yours on Radio Four? Jeremy Vine? A letter from someone at th Beeb can work wonders. I take it you've been to CAB.

I have now a few names - I find the EU setup very confusing, there is one Lib Dem woman who looks the most likely,

....or two others with a choice between UKIP and another, Labour, who isn't on the right committees......

Anyway I will save them for now and see what I get from the MP.
If anything!

I'll have to look them up!

I know there are mixed feelings about Europe but some laws do benefit us - may just be worth writing to the MEP too incase there is an obscure law we haven't heard about - in the human rights book or something.

You just have to try everything, this is an awful situation for you.

Someone must be able to help you , I do hope so !

Actually I have just been writing to my MP, about the only person in authority who I haven't contacted!

Back again, trying to sort my freeview out .
That is a good suggestion bez made, give it a try, you have two chances !

Try your MP or MEP - good luck anyway - that is an awful position to e in.

Thanks for sympathy.
...but what the hell do I do next??

ALIE , you have every right to be !

UPDATE. That was February. This is July.

The estate agent who came just after this, to give a new valuation on my house....said it is 'practically unsaleable'. (Quote).
Since the house next door, the other half of the same building, is now exposed and looks pretty much derelict.

I am not happy. The SODC are not responding to emails. I keep getting referred to the same woman at Environmental Health who is not forthcoming with help - or even acknowledgements.

The District councillor who is sympathetic is not getting any answers either.
She suggested that I might get a better response from Oxfordshire County Council, as the Social Services are already involved.....I emailed a councillor who passed mine on to the SS.....who have just suggested that I might contact - guess who - the SODC Environmental Health!

Who I first contacted in October 2012.

I am so cross.

Good for you Alie. It's good weather for painting today. Long may it last!

Enjoy- and Spring is on its way (mind you, snowing like crazy up here in t'mountains)

Thanks soop!

Well done, AlieO I'm happy that you're happy.

Looks a whole lot better.

Today I am painting the front porch. Not a big job as it isn't enclosed.
Have matching masonry paint. Almost finished, having a cuppa.

It actually seems worth doing things to my house now!